Leitis Claims Long Jump Title During Day One of Razorback Invitational

Janis Leitis captured the men's long jump title at the Razorback Invitational on Friday.

Photo Courtesy Scott Bruhn/NU Media Relations

Courtesy: NU Media Relations

01/25/2013

Fayetteville, Ark. - The Nebraska track and field team competed in its first road meet of the season on Friday during day one of the Razorback Invitational. Being away from the Devaney Center and among some of the nation's top competition did not faze senior Janis Leitis as he notched the men's long jump title.

Leitis remained undefeated on the season in the men's long jump, finishing first in the event on with a personal-best mark of 25-6 (7.77). He ranks first in the Big Ten in the event, while his mark vaults him to third in the nation. Patrick Raedler followed Leitis' lead with a personal-best jump of 25-2 ½ (7.68) to finish second, ranking second in the Big Ten and fourth in the nation. Nikita Pankins finished fourth in the event with a mark of 24-3 ¾ (7.41).

Mara Griva finished third in the women's long jump, recording a season-best leap of 19-10 1/4 (6.05), defending her No. 1 ranking in the event in the Big Ten Conference entering this weekend. Kari Heck finished ninth in the long jump, posting a mark of 18-5 (5.61), while Kara Mostoller was 11th with a jump of 17-9 ¾ (5.43).

James White finished fourth in the men's high jump, recording a mark of 6-10 ¾ (2.10), while Jillanna Scanlan and Marusa Cernjul tied for sixth in the women's high jump as both posted marks of 5-7 ¾ (1.72).

Chad Wright finished seventh in the men's shot put, recording a throw of 57-9 ½ (17.61), while Annie Jackson notched a seventh-place showing on the women's side with a throw of 50-8 ¼ (15.45).

In the women's 200 meters, Mara Weekes finished seventh as she recorded a season-best time of 24.05. Her time ranks third in the Big Ten entering this weekend's competition. Dexter McKenzie finished sixth in the men's 200 meters with a personal-best time of 21.21.

The men's distance medley relay team of Connor Gibson, Tibor Koroknai, Tommy Brinn and Trevor Vidlak posted a third-place finish behind a season-best time of 9:45.50.

Tim Thompson advanced to tomorrow's semifinals in the 60 meters with a time of 6.90, while Mila Andric advanced to tomorrow's semifinals in the 60 meter hurdles after posting a time of 8.75 in the preliminaries. Four Huskers advanced to tomorrow's semifinals in the men's 60 meter hurdles, as Oladapo Akinmoladun posted a time of 7.89, Miles Ukaoma recorded a time of 8.14, Koroknai finished with a time of 8.24 and Sean Pille posted a time of 8.40. The top two finishers, plus the next four best times in the semifinals will advance to the finals in all three events tomorrow afternoon.

After the first day of competition the men are second in the team standings with 40 points, as Arkansas leads with 43 points. The women are tied for seventh with Florida State with 15 points.

The Huskers will return to the Randal Tyson Track Center tomorrow for the second day of competition at the Razorback Invitational.